Review: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
By Victoria Aveyard

Hardcover, 444 pages
Published February 9th 2016 by HarperTeen
Average Rating: 3.99

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance
POV: Third Person Limited (Mare)
Cover Love: Um of course I would love this cover!! Blood, beautiful glass diadem. What could a girl ask for??
My Rating: 5/5 stars

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If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races
By Maggie Stiefvater

Hardcover, 409 pages

Published October 18th 2011 by Scholastic Press

Average Rating: 4.07

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

POV: Dual Third Person (Sean & Puck)
Cover Love: The silhouette of the water horse and (possibly?) Puck with the red spotted background is very artistic.
My Rating: 5/5

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It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury
(A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
By Sarah J. Maas

Hardcover, 624 pages

Published May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Average Rating: 4.77

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

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Lordy, lordy, lord. I just finished this book and I’m ready to explode from the intense feels I have stored in my body. Brace yourself for a raving review.

Review: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3)
By Robin LaFevers

Hardcover, 444 pages

Published November 4th 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers
Average Rating: 4.12

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn’t mean she has…

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This book frustrated the hell out of me. IT WAS TORTUROUS. I couldn’t take it. The whole time I wanted to punch Annith in the face, then when I finished, I was speechless.

ONE OF THE BEST ENDINGS OF A SERIES EVER.

And the thing is, I hated Annith for half of the novel!!! I don’t know how Robin LaFevers managed to redeem herself because ultimately, I love this trilogy.

Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

The Wrath and the Dawn
By Renee Ahdieh

Hardcover, 395 pages

Published May 12th 2015 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Average Rating: 4.24

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One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad’s dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph’s reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she’d imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It’s an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid’s life as retribution for the many lives he’s stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end.

Review: The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

The Mirror King
(The Orphan Queen #1)
By Jodi Meadows

Hardcover, 544 pages

Published April 5th 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books

Average Rating: 4.27

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right.

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

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Hsdhfokjdkljdlakjdiwhabcueljkladfhgasdfg. << THAT IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW. A complete and utter wreck full of turmoil, happiness, pain, and chaos. I’m a ball of emotions that won’t stop churning inside!!

That was worth every single second of waiting; I’m so wonderfully satisfied!! I cried so much during this novel. My pillow was soaked by the end of my second reread. I finished this book while in class, which probably wasn’t the best idea because I wanted to assume fetal position, but I needed to finish this. I don’t think I focused at all that day even after finishing the novel. I wanted to cry, and I did…subtly. I mean how embarrassing would that be if I really let the water works begin? At school? In front of all my classmates? They wouldn’t understand!! (Okay, some would..but still!!) Anyway, I promptly reread the book and finished it in the comforts of my blankets where I allowed myself to ugly cry, and still managed to be feel those heart-wrenching emotions knowing how it would end. Final words: I’m a broken person inside.

Everything was written to perfection. The book immediately started where we left off in The Orphan Queen, thank god, and Wil immediately went to one of her Ospreys, aka Connor, aka flasher aka healer, in order to save Tobiah’s life. We went right into the action and it was wonderful. Thank you so much Jodi for not writing some filler first chapter!! Tobiah (obviously) doesn’t die but in those first few chapters I really wondered if Wil wouldn’t be able to find Connor in time. AND, there was that damn wraith boy that got in the way of ALLL my hopes and dreams!! But the frustrating thing is, is that I can’t help but be sympathetic and pity him because he is the key to everything. Everything. This novel just moved at such an amazing pace with such beautifulness (I hear by declare that a word) that I couldn’t handle my emotions. Meadows is an expert torturer. It was like she was slowly, veerrry slowly, shredding my heart into pieces then slowly putting them back together again with super glue. Furthermore, the plot and ending was so good and the hype around this conclusion was worth every single minute of intense fangirling. The romance, the heart-breaking devastation that the characters faced, the war(!!), and everything in-between was indeed perfection.

“When Patrick is in the deepest dungeon, the wraith vanishes, and all my friends are safe: then I will be all right.”

So, I reunited with Wil once again and I love her defiance in this novel. She defies James and his guards, she defies Tobiah and the crown, she defies Patrick and the Red Militia, she defies pretty much everyone and becomes this badass, radiant (in both senses) QUEEN. OH THE FEELS. I’m so proud of her! *sniffles* The Mirror King really explores the consequences of her falling in love with [spoiler] Black Knife/Tobiah, with her animating the wraith into a (kinda, sorta) human boy (man was that a tragic and heart-rending scene to read…), and with Patrick leading an army against the Indigo Kingdom in her name. Wilhelmina must face the reality of becoming queen and what that means for her and her subjects. Furthermore, her loyalty, her bravery, her love for her friends and her vow to claim her kingdom again was refreshingly the reason (one of them anyway 😉 ) why I love this book, hell, this series so much. She goes through some serious development and I’m so happy and honored I was along for the ride. This character is the epitome of strength, love and amazingness. She is the best part of this novel, next to Tobiah of course.

Tobiah. OH MY GOD THAT LIST. THAT LIST BROKE ME. THAT LIST. THAT LIST. THAT LIST. I LOVE YOU. YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING. *swoon* Best. ending. ever. Tobiah, you ended Book 1 drowing in stupidity but you redeemed yourself and so much more in Book 2. You are one hell of a character. In my opinion, The Mirror King allowed readers to get to know Tobiah and Black Knife as one. I mean they are the same person but this book blended the two together and I got to see Tobiah deal with his Black Knife persona as the prince and how painful it was for him that he couldn’t be Black Knife anymore. Tobiah had to come to terms with the decisions he made as crown prince and as the vigilante, then later when he becomes king. He had to choose between duty and his heart, and no matter how cliché that sounded, Meadows twisted and morphed that idea so impeccably that it was just amazing. In The Orphan Queen, Tobiah and Black Knife were separate people but in The Mirror King, he became the real Tobiah who was Black Knife. (If I’m still confusing you, which I’m sure I am, GO READ THESE BOOKS AND YOU WON’T BE CONFUSED ANYMORE!!!) Tobiah, along with Wil, learned the tough responsibility of ruling a kingdom and I think Meadows portrayed that perfectly.

(…I’m still not over that list.)

“Black Knife crossed the room, a shifting heat and presence. A gloved palm cupped my cheek, hesitantly…It took everything in me not to lean into his touch; he was warm and solid, and like this he was my friend. But he was also Tobiah, and meant for someone else.”

THE ROMANCE IN THIS NOVEL GAVE ME CHEST PAINS. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t do anything but cry. Then I jumped for joy at the end. Because that ending. THAT LIST. *sigh* This book is perfect. Juuust perfect. I cried, I reread, I loved. That is the best thing that a book lover can do. These novels are the best books to come across. They are diamonds in the rough. Absolutely the best ride I’ve ever read.

I recommend these books to everyone in general and everybody should read them because they are amazing.

The Mirror King is the perfect blend of romance, magic and action. (And Tobiah because Tobiah is goals, and Wil because she is also goals). I’m devastated that Wil and Tobiah’s story is over but there are TWO amazing books that represent the best of the best YA novels. And, guys, I’m seriously book hungover. Go read these books now so we can be book hungover together.

Keep calm and read on,

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Side note: Comment how many times I used the word “perfection” or any form of that word. XD

Review: Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios (Dark Caravan Cycle #1)

Exquisite Captive (Dark Caravan Cycle #1)
By Heather Demetrios

Hardcover, 480 pages

Published October 7th 2014 by Balzer + Bray
Average Rating: 3.69

 

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

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I used to read this Juvenile Children’s series called “Children of the Lamp” and reading Exquisite Captive reminded me of that series but this book was 10x better and for older readers.

Now, I have a new favourite fantasy series about jinn!!!

Demetrios put such a unique twist on the famous genie/jinn/jinni subject that I find it stands out from most…or it SHOULD if it hasn’t. She revamped the common knowledge about jinn and made it her own. I feel like this whole book has her signature on it.

Nalia is one hell of a badass, and powerful jinni. She is a strong, smart and should make her up my list of characters that I look up to. In the world of Exquisite Captive, the Ghan Aisouri are the most powerful jinni and are females. Nalia is the last of them but she lives as a slave to her master, Malek. No one knows she’s the last of the Ghan Aisouri as they were all supposedly murdered, so Nalia must keep quiet yet try to escape her master and claim back her place as heir to her land. This is her story about the hardships and the lengths she’ll go through to find her freedom. Hell, it was one hell of ride that left broken hearts and loud gasps. Nalia’s personality clicked with mine. I became her friend and watched and supported her battle through the terrible cards the world handed to her and I was her best cheerleader. I want her to be real so I can be one of her closest friends! Demetrios wrote such a wonderful character that will definitely attract many types of readers. But Nalia isn’t the only character that I absolutely adored.

“The sensation of Raif’s skin was so different from Malek’s-where her master’s scorched, Raif’s tingled, like fine grains of sand shifting under a breeze.”

Ladies and gentleman, (if you roll that way 😉 ), I give you Raif. Sexy, enigmatic Raif. Leader of Arijinna’s rebellion and yes, Nalia’s enemy. This man will suck you in from the get-go. He is full of sass and sarcasm and his and Nalia’s relationship is sizzling. There was definitely not enough scenes with these two as I loved their banter and chemistry. Raif brings a mysterious feel to the novel and his sister is another fabulous addition to the novel. The presence of Raif gives a whole new meaning to Nalia’s journey to freedom. Because he is the enemy, Nalia should stay far, far away from him, but he wants something from her…and he can give her her ultimate freedom from her master.

The story line should captivate readers from the very beginning. Reading the blurb, I saw potential in the characters and story line, and I was right! The plot moved at a decent pace where there was always something interesting happening. It was full of dark magic but I like to think of this novel as a song. It works it way up to the crescendo in a way that you’re gripping the book, and flipping the pages manically. When you hit the crescendo, the climax, it just feels like your heart is about to explode with all the chaos and emotions happening in the novel. Then it slowly brings the readers back down to prepare for the end, but when the song ends you remain feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus yet content with the events of the novel. The melodies of the song still play in your head and the emotions connected to it are still there.

Well, that was a damn good analogy wasn’t it? 😛

“Soon, he will have the jinni backed up against a wall. Just as she was three years ago. The bodies. The blood. The hunger.”

The details of the Exquisite world are complicated. I mentioned the Ghan Aisouri the highest caste of jinni, but there are also the Shaitan (scholars, and artists), the Djan (laborers), the Marid (peasants) and the Ifrit (soldiers and sorceres). Respectively, that is the second highest to the lowest of castes. The level also governs how powerful their magic is. Each caste is distinguished by the colour of their eyes, the colour of their smoke and how they draw their power. Ghan Aisouri can control all four elements: fire, earth, water and air. The Shaitan draw power from air, the Djan draw from the earth, the Marid, water, and the Ifrit, fire. I’m extremely fond of these type of novels where there are caste-like segregation among the population, and having read many books similar to this, I can say it was well thought-out and creative. The jinni twist was new to me and gained my approval.

I remember finishing Exquisite Captive and remembering moments from the book in the middle of the day and painfully waiting for the release of the next book, Blood Passage. I am super impressed by the quality of this novel, along with the effectiveness of the characters. I’m a very satisfied reader. 😀

Exquisite Captive is fast-paced and never failed at keeping my attention. The plot was well constructed and truly spellbinding. Like your favourite song, it leaves a distinct mark on one’s reading soul, and that is rare.

I recommend this series to fantasy lovers and those who have read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

Keep calm and read on,

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Review: The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)
By Jodi Meadows

Hardcover, 391 pages

Published March 10th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
Average Rating: 3.97

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others.

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

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It’s been a while since I read a book that is hands-down, no-doubt, absolutely worthy of five stars since reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. There was no way I wasn’t going to give this five stars because it’s that good!

This was a fabulous novel!! I loved it so much and it might be my new obsession! HA! Who am I kidding it is my new obsession. I think the book hangover I got after closing the novel speaks for itself.

The plot was freaking amazing and never stopped with the action. It was fast-moving, intriguing and totally unique. Super fast paced but I did find it long at times but I accepted that because it meant more Wil! I finished this book in a night. I couldn’t stop if I wanted to, I just kept flipping page after page because I needed to know what would happen next. I revel in those books that won’t let me put it down until I’m done. The Orphan Queen truly had power over me.

“I was going to have to face the man who’s destroyed my kingdom, and the boy who was the reason.”

The main character, Wilhemina, or Wil, is not a damsel in distress, she is another strong, independent heroine. I liked her the minute I read the first sentence. Being a princess, and living on the streets after her homeland was conquered, she didn’t grow up with fancy dresses and over-the-top meals. She grew up like any other commoner and this made her humble, tough, and kind. She also learned how to fight and steal and what do I love more than a stealing kickass princess? Wil is just an awesome character that knows how to forge letters, animate objects, fight, and plan revenge. *sigh* Can we best friends? As the anniversary of her home being invaded approaches, she is determined to get her kingdom back, and she’ll do anything. Wil did have the desire to take back her kingdom but it was this other guy who was always in charge of the Ospreys. It wasn’t until the end where she finally stepped up, took control and let her dreams become a reality. She learned that sacrifices must be made in order to save her kingdom. I really look up to Wil and I seriously can’t wait for the second and final book, The Mirror King!! (Update 04/25/16: I HAVE AND IT WAS A-MAZING!!! REVIEW IS COMING!! ❤ ❤ ❤ )

Black Knife is Wil’s love interest. God, I love the Black Knife! His identity was unknown for most of the novel but when you found out who he really is? OH MY FREAKING GOD. YES. YES, PLEASE. GIMME MORE. I NEED MORE. I had my suspicions about who he was, but when it was finally revealed, I was so happy and excited that I was right!! The Black Knife is technically Wil’s enemy. He goes out and finds magic users and sends them off to their deaths. Wil is a magic user and because of that the relationship turns forbidden and dangerous. It becomes even more forbidden when Black Knife’s real identity is discovered and the reality sets in that this relationship might not work. I know it’s so cliché but I really couldn’t help loving the whole thing!!!

” ‘You’re just everywhere, aren’t you?’ I spun and had my daggers drawn before his questions was half finished. ‘Black Knife.’ ‘Nameless girl.’ He stood on the edge of the roof I’d just left, with only a small jump between us.”

The romance was great!! I loved it so much and I reread the book a few times just to get my intake of romance for the day ’cause it’s that good. Some of Black Knife and Wil’s scenes make me want to swoon, cry and/or scream because it was so good but unfair! The emotional distress I felt reading this book was overwhelming. It didn’t help that the plot and conflict was also amazing and tore my heart out of my chest. You will get the feels reading this book, I promise.

The writing is phenomenal. This is my first time reading Jodi Meadows’ work and I’m impressed how easily she could pull me into her writing through Wil. It is written in first person POV (Wil) and I couldn’t have chosen a better protagonist. Again, Wil’s voice is strong and relatable and she does have flaws that make the reading so much more interesting and fun.

The Orphan Queen will grasp your interest from beginning to end. It is a great mix of romance, action and fantasy. Once you pick The Orphan Queen up, prepare to never put it down until you’re finished. You will be obsessed. Like I am right now. (Ugh, April 5th is way too long!!!!! )

I’m currently reading the novellas Meadows provided while waiting for The Mirror Kingto come out. That will be enough for now. But not for long…

Keep calm and read on,

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Note: The date that I wrote this, and the date that I posted it messing with my mind. I wrote this about a year ago so when this publishes I would’ve already read The Mirror King.

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses
By Sarah J. Maas

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury Children’s

Average Rating: 4.35

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

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Holy freaking crap, this is book is amazing. I finished this book in one day and every time I was forced to put the book, I went insane. I didn’t want to the story to end and when it did, I knew I had a book hangover. It was that good!

NOW I HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR FOR THE NEXT BOOK!! *sob* (Update 04/08/16: IT’S COMING OUT IN A MONTH!!)

Since reading Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa, I haven’t found another faerie series that I really liked. THIS BOOK broke my faerie hiatus. Iron Fey is one of my favourite series and A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) met up to that standard!!! I’m currently fangirling because– *ah* SUCH A GOOD BOOK.

Tamlin is a High Fae who, in the beginning, Feyre was very hostile to as certain circumstances lead Feyre to live in his home. Tamlin oozes power and beauty but is also cursed. The book is from Feyre’s first person POV and the way Maas wrote about Tamlin through Feyre’s eyes is mesmerizing. I was mesmerized by Tamlin and everything in between, while reading ACOTAR. He is one sexy character let me tell you. I’m pretty sure my ovaries are screaming in desire for him. (Can’t he be real? Please?)

“I wanted his hardness of his body crushing against mine; I wanted his mouth and teeth and tongue on my bare skin, on my breasts, between my bare legs. Everywhere-I wanted him everywhere. I was drowning in that need.”

Feyre is a character I absolutely look up to. From a young age, she had to learn how to keep her family alive after her father lost all their money, putting them out in the streets. Her older sisters did nothing to help out with money, or food. They were spoiled brats. Being the youngest out of three, the responsibility she was burdened with made her trustworthy, likable and easy to sympathize with. By Chapter 5, I was protective of Feyre and had a deep attachment to her. I wanted to punch her sisters in the face for the crap they gave her. Same with her no-good father who wallowed in his despair of being in poverty.

In the long run, I know the romance in a novel is not as important as the main conflict but I can’t help but adore the romance in this book!!!!!!!! (Yes, those exclamation point were necessary. Shall I remind you of that quote up there again? Do you see why I need those exclamation points? Yea, that’s what I thought.) Tamlin and Feyre *heart eyes* The whole book was perfect for me but the romance just made it better! Tamlin is protective of Feyre and not to mention that he is freaking badass and is immensely powerful. His feelings for her and her for him are passionate and red-hot. The romance portion of the novel is absolutely for mature readers, and those who love romance will be surely satisfied.

The plot and the climax was exhilarating. There was non-stop action, non-stop adventure. Maas kept me interested until the very last page. She is brilliant with coming up with unique scenarios to keep the story moving along. It was also super entertaining to read new twists on the popular faerie world theme, with new rituals and holidays. However, there are certain elements that we all love, like the manipulation and the dark secrets of the fae that are certainly expressed throughout the novel.

At times, the book seemed too long. I’m reading and I’m thinking Okay, it’s almost done. Everything is dying down, it’s time to prepare myself when I reach the last page. Then, I look at the page count and there is still 300 pages left and I’m now thinking What the heck is gonna happen in 300 pages that hasn’t already happened yet?!? Kinda like when you reach the top of a rollercoaster, then you dive down, and next thing you know it’s happening all over again! My emotions were all over the place with this book because I didn’t want it to end but was also curious on how it was going to end.

“But even as I strode through the hedges, carefully retracing my steps back to the house, I couldn’t erase the creeping feeling that someone still watched me, curious and wanting to play.”

Sarah J. Maas is an absolutely brilliant writer and story-teller. I recommend this novel to fans of Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa and anyone who likes action/adventure with romance on the side. Also, this book is just as amazing as her other books, maybe better, so fans of Maas should definitely pick this up for their next read!

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

Keep calm and read on,

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Note: So um, I wrote this whole review using the name “Rachelle”?!? What?? I’m so sorry for the confusion and I’m currently smacking myself in the face bazillion times. 

 

Review: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Lady Midnight
By Cassandra Clare

Hardcover, 720 pages

Published March 8th 2016 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Average Rating: 4.56

The Shadowhunters of Los Angeles star in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.

It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.

Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…

Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?

Glitz, glamours, and Shadowhunters abound in this heartrending opening to Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series.

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Disclaimer: Mini spoilers ahead. Not very significant but may be considered spoilers. Sorry. 

And we are back in the Shadowhunter world!!! *jumps for joy* I’ve been waiting years for this book to come out, so when it finally came out, I knew I had to get it in my hands some way, some how. Finished it in about two days, maybe a day and a half and boy, was it a rollercoaster of emotions!

Cassandra Clare is off to a great start with her new trilogy starring Emma Carstairs, Jem’s descendant, and Julian Blackthorn, her parabatai!!

Okay, the basics. The novel starts five years after CoHF, so Emma is 17 years old. Julian is Emma’s parabatai, and that is extremely important with the semantics of their relationship. (Holy hell, Cassie went there.) Mark, Julian’s older brother comes back into their lives after the Fae captured him for the Hunt and brings havoc along with him. (Let’s see how many times I try not to spoil anything…) If you haven’t read the previous Shadowhunter novels then no worries, Cassie briefly recaps everything and reintroduces elements like runes, the stele, the Clave, Downworlders, parabatai, etc. So, even if you haven’t read the precious series in the Shadowhunter Chronicles, it’s okay if you start with this one. (I do recommend reading the others to enhance your reading experience though)

“I thought it was ‘the Law is annoying, but it is also flexible.'”

The running engine of this novel is Emma’s love for breaking rules which is foreshadowing all on its own. She’s a firecracker and her sarcasm hits me at a personally level. She may be my soul sister. I refuse to admit it, but Emma is the female version of Jace (sorry!) but so much better!! Her parents were part of a ritualistic murder, and the blame was put on Sebastian Morgenstern. She knows that that’s not the case. Someone else killed her parents and she’s going to find out who. She’s only 17, and she’s been looking for her parents’ killer for years. She’s desperate. She’s wants answers, the real ones, once and for all. And she’s going to do anything she can to get them. Ambitious, that girl, let me tell you that. If you haven’t already noticed, Emma is full of personality. Cassie made sure of that. Emma is a complex character and I love that about her. She is the perfect protagonist for this new series.

Julian has a secret. A big one. (And that’s all I’m telling because you book lovers out there need to read this book.) Julian is an artist and dude, that is so attractive. He makes my heart skip a beat at his sweetness and his struggle with [spoiler! I couldn’t help it. I had to!!] his treacherous feelings for Emma.  His internal struggle just broke my already fragile heart. So many feels! Even more, Julian is that boy who didn’t get to be a boy. He had to take care of his siblings at age 12, and it’s so heartrendingly sweet, sad, attractive, amazing, and every other adjective you can think of! His relationships with his siblings and along with Emma are just impeccable. Julian is THE book boyfriend and *sigh* I can’t form coherent thoughts when I think about his character. Who am I kidding this book in general just messes with my emotions and my thoughts.

How you ask? Because every single moment was like a slap in the face (in a good way!). THE STORYTELLING. THE WORDS. THE STORY. It pretty much blew me away. You think after a 6-book series, a trilogy, and some extra short stories, things would get old and repetitive. They don’t. They just don’t. I’ve read most of Cassie’s novels and save for the wonderful parallelism between the books, she always brings something new to the table! Lady Midnight proved that Cassie can keep on writing in this Shadowhunter world with no doubt that the books will be successful.

“Patches of skin were burned, black and red, bubbles rising where the burn were worst, like lather on a bar of soup. His gray shirt was torn open, and across his chest and arms marched lines of black runes, not the runes of Shadowhunters, but a twisted demon script.”

The events leading up to the big epic conclusion to the mystery of the demonic murders were well-paced, and the killer took me by surprise. The romance between Emma and Julian is THE literary relationship. The fighting scenes are amazing; there are plenty of seraph blades being swung around, ichor being spilled, runes engraved, Emma being badass, parabatai moments (swoon) and Mark being Mark. I approve the secondary characters: Kieran, Cristina, the Blackthorn children, and Diana, just to name a few. We also get special appearances from Magnus, Jace, Clary, Alec, Jem and Tessa! *yay!* Pretty much, everything in this book was extraordinary. I don’t think I can say that enough! XD

Okay, let’s talk epilogue. I’ll try to make it brief, but what. the. hell. CASSIE YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!! YOU CANNOT END IT LIKE THAT. That is complete agony. And who knows when the next book will come out! Probably in a year. A year. (What’s funny is that’s nothing in the life of a book addict.) Anyway, thank you so much for the severe book hangover. Much appreciated. You shall find me curled up in my bed, rereading your book.

Lady Midnight is Cassie’s best book yet, and I’m utterly excited for this new series! It just sucks that I have to wait another year or so before the next book comes out!!! (still not happy with that ending) I will definitely be rereading this book and all her other ones in the Shadowhunter Chronicles in hopes of healing my book hangover…

Lady Midnight is full of mystery, romance, friendship and comedy, making it the perfect (and I mean perfect) young adult novel. Well done, Cassie, well done.

Keep calm and read on,

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